Chapter 11 - Flame
From Duels Content
Contents |
[edit] Quest Text
As the infected Blacksmith smolders on the ground in a circle of deep black ash, the lights continue to flicker, and the heat continues to rise. Suddenly, as if by some monstrous inhalation, the air is sucked out of the room, killing the lights and leaving you gasping for breath is the sulfur-scented blackness.
[edit] Activated by
[edit] Act 1 - Flaming Succor
With a sudden blast of orange light, the air in front of you explodes into a wall of fire. The flames dance and flow, leaving the surrounding room inexplicably unburned, before moving along the floor and coalescing into a single column.
The column of flame stretches, forming what appear to be blazing twin appendages, while the flames near the top swirl and distort, forming what appears very much to be a face. The air is filled with the sound of crackling flames, burning wood and popping sparks. Though no words are articulated, you can understand the burning din as though the flame were speaking to you.
"This beast is wrong. Its very presence taints the air around it." The flame creature moves toward Kel, lying prone on the table.
"It is not of this world. It disrupts the balance and must be destroyed." Fizroy gives a knowing nod as the flames dart across the floor, and reform, looming over Kel's head. It stops for a moment and seems to consider the Abtu-Khan.
"This is not right." The flames curl over on themselves, forming a spinning, fiery hoop that encircles the table. "This abomination has infested a child of the natural world."
You interject and ask the creature what it is. It reforms, looming inches away from your face.
"I am fire. If we are to help this poor beast, we must take him to stone."
[edit] Objectives
[edit] Act 2 - Beach Brute Bingo
As soon as the sewer beasts have been dispatched, fire returns and sets off again. Fizroy stops and yells.
"Hey! Where were you? We sure could have used some help back there."
Fire stops and turns back. Again, the burning, crackling sounds form words in your mind.
"I cannot destroy a natural beast," it says calmly and sets off again, sizzling through the sewer tunnels.
You walk for days. Though you are without food or drinkable water, fire seems to emit an aura, a pulse that keeps you moving forward, undaunted by hunger or exhaustion. Eventually, the bricks of the sewers give way to rough-hewn stone and the passageways become twisted and narrow, to the point that, when you round a corner and come face to face with an open cave mouth and piercing sunlight, it takes you a bit off guard.
You emerge, blinking, into the sunlight and survey the area. You are standing on a beach, facing South toward what you guess is the Phyrran Sea. You surmise that the tunnels you have used passed under the sea to the small island of Emira. Fire stops and turns toward you.
"Stone is not far. We must be careful." After checking to make sure your companions are following, you turn back to fire, only to find it has disappeared.
Further down the beach, you can see a small wooden shack. It is shaking and shuffling, while deep voiced shouting and growling emanates from inside.
[edit] Objectives
[edit] Act 3 - Boom!
The Ogre crashes to the ground in an explosion of sand, shells and stone. As the dust clears, you can see fire, burning its way up the beach, toward the jungle and the small mountain dominating the horizon.
Fire cuts a charred path through the dense jungle. Plants wither and burn behind him. As you follow, the plants regrow, closing off the path behind your group. After hours of following the smoldering trail through the steaming vegetation, you come to the foot of the mountain. The jungle gives way to smooth, sheer black rock cliffs, with patches of green and enormous, brightly colored flowers, while silhouetted birds circle to a distant summit. Fire sets off up a narrow, winding path and Fizroy stops, hands on his knees.
"Wait! Are we seriously going to climb this thing?" Fire does not answer. Adhegha and Edgar walk past the panting Doctor, Edgar making a point of adjusting Kel's limp body, strapped to his back. After a moment, the Doctor begins his ascent, cursing under his breath.
[edit] Objectives
[edit] Conclusion
The Goblins take off, screaming and running. You approach the cave mouth...
[edit] Reward
- D.E.A. Stipend
- 50 XP
- 50 gold
- 200 tokens
[edit] Hints
By completing this you get to go on to Chapter 12 - Infection and Salvation
